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Date	Original Topic
25th April 2002	Lieut. Youghusband's Last Stand question? By David Bluestein I had read with interest on your web site (in the review of �Zulu Dawn�) an account that tells of Lieut. Younghusband's last stand at Isandlwana; The writer describes the Zulu�s actually stopping their assault momentarily to allow Younghusband to shake hands with his men before they all will inevitably be killed. I have read many accounts of the battle of Isandlwana, and have never heard of this incident. Is this myth or fact? If fact, why has it never not been recorded by some of the more well known authors of the Zulu War, (or has it)?
Date	Replies
25th April 2002	John Young David, I first heard this from David Rattray on the slopes of Isandlwana, back in 1991. David stated that he'd gleaned the story from the oral history of some local Zulu, they had recounted the tale of Captain Reginald Younghusband bidding his men farewell before charging to their certain death. Myth or fact? Who knows? But it is a good story. In 1893 the Matabele recounted a similiar incident with the doomed Shangani Patrol. They too apparently shook hands before meeting their fate at the hands of Lobengula's warriors in what is now Zimbabwe. John Young, Chairman, Anglo-Zulu War Research Society
25th April 2002	David Bluestein Thanks John, yes it is a great story! Like so many other Isandlwana myths that have evolved over the years, no one except those that were on the field that afternoon will ever know for sure; and their secrets are safe for eternity. I�ve often wondered if I could go back in time, and observe the actual events as they really played out, what would I see?
28th April 2002	Roger Cole In his book "The Washing of the Spears" Donald Morris recounts - "Captain Younghusband was one of the last to die. When "C" company's ammunition was gone, he had shaken hands with all his men and stayed to the end of the fight on the rocky platform over the wagon park. He had finally been forced over the edge with 3 survivors, and the 4 of them found some cartridges, clambered into an empty wagon and turned it into a rifle pit. They were rushed, and the 3 men were killed in the wagon bed, but Younghusband, minus his tunic, got away again and climbed into still another wagon. He was all alone, and the Zulus in his vicinity had stopped fighting, and when he opened fire, they scurried back hastiliy. He kept firing until all his cartridges were gone, and a few Zulus then tried to close with him. He baynoted every warrior that laid a hand on the wagon, and he lasted for a long time until a Zulu finally shot him." A great story - but if those around him were all killed then the only account of this would have had to have come from the Zulus themselves ?? I have just returned from Isandlwana and sat on the ledge where this was supposed to have happened. I for one would like to beleive it was a true account.
28th April 2002	Julian Whybra Roger, way back in 1968. I wrote to Donald Morris to ask him for his source for the paragraph you quote (amongst others). He replied that all his notes were bundled up and placed in his attic and he did not intend to look at them again for some time. I asked again in 1971 and received the reply that he thought the incident was mentioned in an account in the Killie Campbell Museum - "it might have been Hamer's". Over the next 3 years I obtained photocopies from the Killie Campbell of all the accounts re Isandhlwana by survivors, those out with Chelmsford and those who interviewed them sunbsequently. I never found a word about this incident and curiously the Museum told me that Hamer's account was missing - though I have since tracked it down. I think we have to put this down to artistic licence - but, like you, I think it's a good story, and i keep still looking. Who knows?
28th April 2002	Peter Quantrill Julian is right---there is not a shred of primary source evidence to indicate how Younghusband was killed.It was not possible for any survivor to record the event for the simple reason that none were present,and it is highly unlikely that a hitherto unnamed source will come to light. Add the story to the catagory of Myths.
28th April 2002	Peter Quantrill Julian is right---there is not a shred of primary source evidence to indicate how Younghusband was killed.It was not possible for any survivor to record the event for the simple reason that none were present,and it is highly unlikely that a hitherto unnamed source will come to light. Add the story to the catagory of Myths.
11th March 2005	Michael Kent (31) I am off to Isandlwana in May with Ian Knight as our guide. I intend to ask him about Younghusband. It is widely regarded that he was one of the last Imperial officers to die yet we know very little about the man. He receives very little mention which could lead one to think he was a peripheral figure but he clearly was not. I like you just wish we knew more about him.